Books I Got My Friends for Christmas

This year, I decided to get books for my friends & family for Christmas. If you've been following this blog over the past year, you probably know that I've been doing a lot of book reviews, especially for my favorite independent authors. I thought it would be fun to get everyone a book I read this year that reminded me of them, and that I thought they'd enjoy.


So, here are the books I got everyone this year! You may recognize some of these as books I've reviewed on this blog or on YouTube over the past few months. If you're looking for book recommendations, I hope you find something you like here!




For My Mom

The Road Less Travelled by Emily Elliff

My mom loves history. There's nothing she loves more than a good based-on-a-true-story book or movie. She's also into Illinois and Chicago history specifically. After watching my YouTube review and reading my post about The Road Less Travelled, where I discussed the historical figures it's based on and the way it reveals truths about women during the Civil War period, she expressed to me how badly she wanted to read this book. This conversation with my mom was actually what gave me the idea to give everyone a book that I thought they'd like. I realized I'd read a lot of books lately that people in my life would enjoy, so why not spread the love? 

Buy this book here.

Storm of Hope by Leila Tualla

Another thing I know about my mom is that she loves stories that she can connect with emotionally, and that she loves using creative methods to express aspects of her own life. For example, my mom's really into making scrapbooks for our family members based on their accomplishments, or sewing quilts and other decor based on her interests. I thought Tualla's story would resonate with my mom--both because it's an emotional one, but also because it's personal. Just like my mom puts her own interests and experiences into her sewing, Tualla puts her experiences with preeclampsia into her poetry. I thought this book was really well done, and I hope my mom finds it moving as well!

Buy this book here.

For My Dad

PTM Werks series by Patrick McBriarty

I had gotten my parents McBriarty's coffee table book, Chicago River Bridges, for a combined birthday/Father's Day gift. My dad has always had a huge interest in mechanics and engineering, as well as Chicago's history and architecture. And recently, as my parents have watched me begin my journey with The Furever Home Friends, they've gotten into reading kids' books again too. Who wouldn't be?! Kids' books are fun!

I bought my dad two books from this series: City Railways Go Above and Below, and Drawbridges Open and Close. These books use cute animals and fun stories to explain how the mechanics of different structures, like the el train or Chicago's bridges, work.

Buy these books here.

For My Brother


Lucan by mda

My brother is more into the young-adult urban fantasy genre than anyone I know. So it made perfect sense to get him the book that first got me interested in YA urban fantasy! Like I said in my review of Lucan, I'm much more of a contemporary reader, but this book totally sucked me in to a new genre. I thought my brother, as somewhat of an urban fantasy connoisseur, would get a lot out of this book.

Buy this book here.

For My Friends

Hearts are Like Balloons by Candace Robinson

This book is a romantic coming-of-age story, so I decided to give it to one of my friends who had shared my love for teen romance in TV and movies. We spent pretty much all of college watching shows like As Told by Ginger together, so I thought she'd enjoy a novel that shows the emotional ups and downs of a teenage girl coming into adulthood.

Buy this book here.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell


I gave this  book to the same friend that I gave An Abundance of Katherines a few Christmases ago. She reads more than anyone else I know, so I always give her whatever book I'm currently crazy in love with. If you read my review of Carry On, you know that this book has changed my life and inspired me to improve my writing in so many ways. Since this friend is a huge fan of Harry Potter, and also enjoyed the Twilight series, and enjoys YA fantasy in general, I thought she'd love a book that plays off of all these tropes. Like me, she read it in one day.

Buy this book here.

Underneath the Whiskey by Chelsea Lauren

I mailed this book to one of my friends that I don't get to see in person that often anymore, since she lives in New York. I'm not sure what it was exactly that made me think this book would be for her--sometimes things we can't name draw us to certain stories. She reads almost everything, and this story deals with a lot of intense themes. Since she's one of my most calm and rational, yet still adventurous friends, I thought this story and its heavy themes would be something she could process well. If you haven't seen my review of this book, know that I highly recommend it!

Buy this book here.

Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault by Candace Robinson

This book plays with a lot of different myths, legends, and classical tales. I decided to give it to one of my friends who is really into classical literature. When she opened it, the first thing she said was, "WOW this cover looks good!" It does have a gorgeous cover, doesn't it? She's super excited to read it. For anyone else who enjoys YA fantasy, and specifically stories that offer a new take on old stories, I'd recommend this book!

Buy this book here.

I hope these recommendations are helpful to you!

If you're an author and you'd like me to review one of your books on my blog, please comment below or email me.

Love,
Savy